INTEGRIS Health is encouraging Oklahoma lawmakers to support the Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act, so that hospital at home programs can continue to exist.
The Acute Hospital Care at Home (AHCAH) waiver program was implemented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to allow Medicare beneficiaries to receive acute-level health care services in their home environment during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). The waiver program has allowed hospitals and health systems across the country to meet increased capacity demands during the pandemic, while providing safe, high-quality care in patients’ homes where they can be supported by their friends and family. To date, more than 200 hospitals and health systems in 34 states have received the waiver – including INTEGRIS Health.
The INTEGRIS Health @ Home program officially launched Jan. 31, and recently celebrated the discharge of its 100th patient. Forty-six-year-old Rachael Martin had been in and out of the hospital multiple times due to congestive heart failure and respiratory issues. She was thrilled to learn there was an alternative option to the traditional brick and mortar hospital. “The hospital at home program is so much more convenient and comfortable,” says Martin. “There’s no place like home… and that’s truly where every patient would prefer to be if given the choice.”
INTEGRIS Health @ Home provides hospital-level care to patients in the comfort and convenience of their own homes. Patients receive a remote patient monitoring kit and other clinical equipment as needed for their particular diagnoses. Standard equipment includes a blood pressure monitor, pulse oximeter, cellular-enabled digital tablet and a digital scale. Other devices can be added based on the patient’s needs. All the devices connect to a tablet through Bluetooth and transmit vital signs to a remote monitoring command center. The command center, staffed by INTEGRIS Health physicians and nurses, monitors patients 24/7 and responds immediately to a patient’s medical needs via video or telephone. Daily in-home visits by community paramedics, nurses, nurse practitioners and other health care professionals are also part of the treatment plan. IV therapies, oxygen treatments, lab tests, mobile imaging like x-rays and ultrasound are all performed in the home. Other services provided include skilled nursing, medications, infusions, behavioral health, and rehabilitation.
At this time, access to this care model is limited to patients with Medicare, Medicaid and Medicare Advantage health plans who accept the CMS waiver. Martin was only able to qualify for this option since SoonerCare agreed to accept the CMS waiver. “I immediately started feeling better as soon as I got home,” Martin declares. “I wish this program was available to everyone. I think countless Oklahomans could benefit from it.”
The problem facing current and future hospital at home patients is that the waiver flexibilities that enable this model of care are tied to the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), which is slated to run through mid-July 2022. While it may be extended further, the PHE can only be extended in 90-day increments. “Patients and their health care providers need greater certainty for this important care delivery option,” says INTEGRIS Health Hospital @ Home System Director Lisa Rother. “The waiver program has demonstrated positive outcomes, experiences and potential cost savings, reinforcing the need for broader adoption. ”
The Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act (S.3792/H.R. 7053) would ensure that patients and providers have access to these services for two years beyond the duration of the PHE. This bipartisan bill would also require that within one year of enactment, CMS issue regulations establishing health and safety requirements for AHCAH Programs.
“By extending the waiver program, Congress will sustain the existing momentum and investment in the program,” says Tom Cassidy, the director of government affairs at INTEGRIS Health. “It will also allow for additional experience and data collection that can inform the potential of a longer-term payment model for these services in the Medicare and Medicaid program. Without such an extension, programs like INTEGRIS Health Hospital @ Home will no longer be available for patients with Medicare and Medicaid health plans.” Click here to see a video explanation from Tom Cassidy.

The Oklahoma Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is pleased to announce the National Register of Historic Places designation for the following properties in Oklahoma. The National Register of Historic Places is our nation’s official list of properties significant in our past.
Oklahoma County
William L. Bradford Building
27 E. Sheridan Ave., Oklahoma City
The William L. Bradford Building near downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, is locally significant for its association with Commerce and Industry. Constructed in 1909, the four-story, red brick building was developed as an investment property in Oklahoma City’s burgeoning warehouse district, known today as Bricktown. A simple corbeled brick cornice adorns the top of the building in reference to the Classical Revival architectural style that was commonly seen at the turn of the 20th century. Various manufacturers and wholesalers occupied the building during its period of significance from 1909 to 1941, including the Southwestern Fountain Company, the Can’t Spill Oil Can Company and Kansas City Paper House.
Kay County
Ponca City Coca-Cola Bottling Company
511 S. First St., Ponca City
The Ponca City Coca-Cola Bottling Company is locally significant for its association with Industry. The modest, one- and two-story, painted brick building was completed in a series of phases between 1923 and 1956 as the bottling plant expanded to meet the growing demands of the local community. The historic period glass block windows, drive-through service entries and signage panels reflect the building’s unique industrial uses and share common vernacular design elements with other nearby industrial complexes. Part of an integrated chain of local and regional bottling operations, the Ponca City Coca-Cola facility reflects the significant, early-20th-century industrial growth of the community and was the longest continually operated bottling works in Ponca City.
WBBZ Radio Station
1601 E. Oklahoma Ave., Ponca City
WBBZ Radio Station is locally significant for its association with Communications and Architecture. The station property is comprised of a two-story, buff brick, Modernist radio station building and an adjacent 165-foot metal transmitter tower, all completed in 1951–52. The modest, flat-roofed station building with its distinctive corner window and glass block glazing represents an exceptionally well-preserved local example of mid-century International style design. Ponca City does not have a large concentration of mid-20th century International style buildings. Thus, the intact and somewhat unusual nature of the WBBZ Station building marks it an exemplary local example of International style design. The WBBZ Radio Station provided an important outlet for local and regional communications regarding news, current events and general entertainment in an era before the widespread use of television and the Internet for social communications. The station also had a significant role in the establishment of local weather warning systems and civil defense programs in the immediate post–World War II era, a particularly important aspect given Oklahoma’s notorious reputation for severe and rapidly changing weather conditions.
Listing in the National Register of Historic Places is an honorific designation that provides recognition, limited protection and, in some cases, financial incentives for these important properties. The SHPO identifies, evaluates and nominates properties for this special designation. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.

Photography and Text by Terry “Travels with Terry” Zinn t4z@aol.com

When you think of Washington DC in the spring, you might think of the Jefferson Memorial in Cherry Blossom splendor, but D.C. has so much more to offer, and that’s the problem.
Over the years I have discovered that some cities are just too large, diverse, and ever changing, to be experienced fully in just one visit. I find this true about our Nation’s Capitol, Washington D.C. That’s why I find it to be an “installment” city: one that needs to be visited over and over again, over a number of years (or decades in my experience.)
Creating a reasonable itinerary for D.C., and knowing your physical capabilities is the key. In my youth I walked and walked and walked to near exhaustion, to see some of the monuments, memorials and museums. For this brief two day trip I took it easy, knowing that in most likelihood that all would be there for another visit on down the line.
I used inexpensive taxis to go most places. I could not believe how accessible they were.
My home base was in the Beacon Hotel and Corporate Quarters, up the hill from the White House by several blocks. It was a comfortable hotel, with a doorman for taxis, offering spacious rooms, kitchenette and full size bath. While I would not try to visit their unfriendly dining establishment again, I would consider the hotel for my next installment. They do offer a rooftop bar on some nights. Go early before the music starts.
Months in advance I contacted both my Congressional representatives to see about getting a White House tour. After a prolonged attempt it did happen, and I was put on a list with a group of strangers, to this day I have not met. I showed up a little earlier than my appointed time, and went through 2 check lists before going through security. I was told on the website, no cameras, although cell phones with cameras were allowed (go figure that logic), no pencils, no pens, no back packs, no water, no nothing, or it would be taken away. Strange again, but the price you pay. The self guided tour, following a pre determined path, was reminiscent of a tour decades ago. In reflection it is fun to see the rooms and hallways on TV and know their juxtaposition to each other and such, because you were there. I’m ashamed to say, I did not get a feeling of awe, but seeing the portraits of JFK and Jacqueline was heart warming. A tour of the Capitol Building is much easier to get and very informative.
I can also recommend visiting the National Gallery, The Spy Museum and its adjacent restaurant, Zola. All three are worth a lengthy visit. Dining at Zola is definitely on my list for my next installment visit to D.C.
Other fun food and beverages were enjoyed at the iconic Old Ebbitt Grill, the Round Robin Bar at the Willard Intercontinental, and the roof top bar and dining atop the W Hotel, where extra ordinary sights can be had of the White House, Washington’s Monument, Jefferson Memorial and the Lee Mansion in Arlington The W can be a bit snooty, as they reserve several roof top bar tables for VIP’s, which are seldom used early in the evening. So as you wait for the elevator behind the velvet rope, just profess to the doorman you want to stand at the bar. It’s worth the effort.
I longed to see the National Cathedral and took a taxi there and back. Getting back was the challenge. I saw the edifice and took a Gargoyle tour, which I can not recommend.
One is shown slides of the exterior, and then taken out front on the grounds to try and see again, what you saw in slide format. My souvenir book of Gargoyles sold in the basement gift shop was worth its money; the tour was not. A quick trip to the architecturally pleasing National Museum of the American Indian was accomplished, along with a light lunch, and my two days were completed.
As these days much is changing and challenging, and while this was my experience, it is always best to explore and investigate your Installment on your own before a trip.
One of the best compliments of any travel adventure or meal is answering “Yes” to the question, “Would you have it again?” And “Yes,” Washington D.C. is already on my list for future city installments.
When you go or before check out:
Zola Dining: www.spymuseum.org/dining
Beacon Hotel: http://www.capitalhotelswdc.com/
The Spy Museum : www.spymuseum.org/
The National Cathedral: www.nationalcathedral.org
Washington D.C. info: http://washington.org

Mr. Terry Zinn – Travel Editor
Past President: International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association
3110 N.W. 15 Street – Oklahoma City, OK 73107
https://realtraveladventures.com/?s=terry+zinn
https://realtraveladventures.com/?s=zinn
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www.martinitravels.com

by James Coburn – staff writer

Sherice Randle, LPN, needed to understand more about Alzheimer’s Disease after her aunt was diagnosed with the most prevalent form of dementia.
“So, I got my CNA and CMA and worked in nursing homes for a while,” Randle said.
“People with Alzheimer’s have their good days and their bad days. So as a family member you must take that in stride,” she said. “You have to know that they’re in there somewhere. They know who you are, but sometimes they may not know who you are,” said Randle, who serves as a case manager over long-term care and skilled nursing care at The Wilshire Skilled Nursing and Therapy, located in Oklahoma City. “You just have to take it how it is day-to-day. My aunt wasn’t the only one. Alzheimer’s runs in my family. You take your good days. Sometimes you might have more bad days than good days.”
She found patience to be a valuable component of living with somebody with Alzheimer’s disease.
“You remember the good and how they were, and don’t remember them like that,” she continued. She learned how residents living with Alzheimer’s respond well to music from decades ago. (story continues below)

“I used to have this one. He could forget anything there was except how to play dominoes,” she said. “If you set some dominoes in front of him, that was it. He’d beat you in dominoes all day long.”
Nursing has always been a learning opportunity for Randle. Her career pathway included being a home health aide while putting herself through nursing school. After graduating from nursing school, she worked in long-term acute care unit of a hospital.
“I did a lot of vents and learned a lot in an LTAC, but it wasn’t my calling,” she said. “A nursing home is where I feel more comfortable.”
She joined The Wilshire in early March. Randle earned her LPN license after graduating from Chisholm Trail Technology Center, located in Omega, 16 miles west of Kingfisher.
“It’s smaller and I like their leadership and their structure,” she said. “The staff works hard together, and I like that.”
Everybody is willing to pitch in during times when they would otherwise have a staffing shortage, Randle said. There have been experiences that have moved her to persevere. When Randle was a CNA, she cared for an older lady who was part of a group of people who lived to be over 100. Randle would read to the group each day she was at work.
“She liked the comics, so I had to read her the comics. Another liked the classifieds. I would ask him, ‘Why do you make me go over all of the classified stuff with you?’ I started to read certain things out of the classifieds, and he was like, ‘No, you have to read it all.’ I really like them, and when I left there, I really missed them a lot.”
Another woman would tell her stories about her life in Europe. Randle enjoyed listening to older residents telling her stories about their lives. Each one of the residents at The Wilshire Skilled Nursing and Therapy come from different walks of life. One man ran a farm and one of the women worked in government.
Anyone working in long-term care and skilled nursing needs to have a lot of patience and organizational skills, Randle said. As the MDS coordinator, she documents all the information Medicare requires for reimbursement and audits. Medications are documented as well as if the resident requires more than one person for assistance. Vision and dental and whether the residents require total care is reported to the federal government.
“You put all that information in their care plan,” she continued.
The Easter Bunny passed out Easter eggs as a recent guest at The Wilshire Skilled Nursing and Therapy. It was part of the many activities that keep residents engaged in their community. Staff and volunteer organizations help with the activities that include putting together puzzles and involvement in holidays, among other events.
“It keeps them motivated and it keeps them busy,” she said. “For some people it keeps them up-to-date.”
The nursing staff spends a lot of time speaking to each resident in order to relate to their daily likes and dislikes. “It’s hard work, but on the skilled side of it, I like seeing people accomplish their goals and send them back home,” Randle said.
“We get them to their prior level of care so they can go back home. Some decline home health services because they don’t need it. That’s a goal that I set for myself — to try to get them back home. I like working with elderly people. I don’t know how to explain it, I just like working with them.”
Randle has her challenges as a nurse but said she would rather continue her work as a nurse than do something less enriching in life.
For more information visit: https://www.wilshireokc.com/

On Friday, June 10, from 7 to 9 p.m. the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (CSRHC) in Enid will present “Museum After Dark: Village Sounds” featuring singer/songwriter Stacey Sanders. The Village Church on the grounds of the Humphrey Heritage Village will be transformed for the evening into an intimate listening room for the musician to share songs and stories. The CSRHC will remain open for the duration, so visitors can also explore our shared history at their leisure.
Museums are honest, authentic interpreters of the past, using pieces of historic evidence as a guide. Musicians are also storytellers, also telling honest, authentic stories about the world around us. “Museum After Dark: Village Sounds” at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center is a chance to explore our story in Oklahoma from the perspective of different songwriters from our state.
As Sanders’s song “Government Issue” suggests, “I was a Desert Strike baby conceived in 1964.” He indeed was born in 1965 in Blackwell. His family relocated frequently to other states and Germany due to his father’s military service until they settled in Enid in 1976. Sanders then started playing acoustic guitar and penning songs during his teens. He cut his teeth on the sounds of James Taylor, Dan Fogelberg, Neil Young and other acoustic musicians he would aspire to become. Sanders unapologetically shies away from love songs and prefers telling gritty, earthy stories. Many of his songs are based on true-life experiences while others are whimsical, wild tales. He resides in Enid with his wife, Kay, and their dog, Jane.
The concert is free with admission to the CSRHC. Members of the CSRHC or the Oklahoma Historical Society always visit the center for free. This event is made possible through the financial support of our community partner, Park Avenue Thrift. The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center is located at 507 S. Fourth Street in Enid. For more information, please call 580-237-1907 or visit www.csrhc.org.
The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.

Dear Savvy Senior,

I’m planning to enroll in original Medicare in a few months and have been told I probably need to get a Medicare supplemental policy too. Can you offer any tips on selecting one? Almost 65

Dear Almost,
If you’re enrolling in original Medicare, getting a supplemental policy (also known as Medigap insurance) too is a smart idea because it will help pay for things that aren’t covered by Medicare like copayments, coinsurance and the Part A deductible. Here are some tips to help you choose an appropriate plan.
Medigap Plans
In all but three states (Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin), Medigap plans, which are sold by private health insurers, are available to new enrollees in eight different standardized plans. These plans are labeled with the letters A, B, D, G, K, L, M and N, with two more, C and F, that are only available to those eligible for Medicare before 2020.
Plan G is the most popular policy among new enrollees because it covers the most comprehensive range of benefits. Monthly premiums for Plan G typically range between $100 and $300, depending on your age and the state you reside in. If that’s more than you’re willing to pay, there are also high-deductible plans that have lower premiums but impose higher out-of-pocket costs. (story continues below)

For more information on the different types of plans and coverage details, including Medigap options in Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, go to Medicare.gov/publications and type in “choosing a medigap policy” in the Keyword box, and download their 2022 guide. Or call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask them to mail you a copy.
How to Choose
To pick a Medigap policy that works best for you, consider your health, family medical history and your budget. The differences among plans can be small and rather confusing.
To help you choose, visit Medicare.gov/medigap-supplemental-insurance-plans and type in your ZIP code. This will give you a list of the plans available in your area, their price ranges and the names, and contact information of companies that sell them. But to get specific pricing information, you’ll need to contact the carriers directly or call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program. See ShipHelp.org or call 877-839-2675 for contact information.
Since all Medigap policies with the same letter must cover the exact same benefits (it’s required by law), you should shop for the cheapest policy.
You’ll get the best price if you sign up within six months after enrolling in Medicare Part B. During this open-enrollment period, an insurer cannot refuse to sell you a policy or charge you more because of your health.
You also need to be aware of the pricing methods, which will affect your costs. Medigap policies are usually sold as either: “community-rated” where everyone in an area is charged the same premium regardless of age; “issue-age-rated” that is based on your age when you buy the policy, but will only increase due to inflation, not age; and “attained-age-rated,” that starts premiums low but increases as you age. Community-rate and issue-age-rated policies are the best options because they will save you money in the long run.
You can buy the plan directly from an insurance company, or you can work with a reputable insurance broker.
Drug Coverage
You also need to know that Medigap policies do not cover prescription drugs, so if you don’t have drug coverage, you’ll need to buy a separate Medicare Part D drug plan too. See Medicare.gov/plan-compare to compare plans. Also note that Medigap plans do not cover vision, dental care, hearing aids or long-term care.
Alternative Option
Instead of getting original Medicare, plus a Medigap policy and a separate Part D drug plan, you could sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan (see medicare.gov/plan-compare) that provides all-in-one coverage. These plans, which are sold by insurance companies, are generally available through HMOs and PPOs that require you to get your care within a network of doctors.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

The Oklahoma City Adventure District (OKCAD) is excited to announce the hiring of Brittani Hunter as Executive Director. Hunter will be responsible for leading and managing the OKCAD including bolstering fundraising activities, marketing its members as well as promoting the area’s momentum and opportunities for economic development.
A Tulsa native, Hunter earned dual Bachelors of Science degrees in Sport Management and Marketing from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Business Administration with a focus of management from Southern Nazarene University. Her experience with the Oklahoma City Thunder created a passion for community engagement and as owner of Spiked. A Coffee Concept, located on NE 23rd Street, Hunter has further strengthened her business skills and local community ties. Using her entrepreneurial background, Hunter plans to work closely with the OKCAD Board to build relationships in the District and across the City to foster sustainable change in northeast Oklahoma City.
“We are excited to welcome Brittani in her new role,” said Dwight Lawson, OKC Zoo’s executive director and OKCAD Board Chair. “Brittani brings incredible experience and enthusiasm to this position. Through her leadership, we are confident she will continue to propel the District forward while building on our mission and connections with our members, visitors and the community.”
Hunter is eager to show her support as an advocate for OKCAD and is ready to promote the diverse entertainment and development opportunities in the District to visitors from Oklahoma City and the region.
Located in Northeast Oklahoma City, OKCAD is home to some of the Oklahoma’s most outstanding attractions including National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Remington Park, Science Museum Oklahoma, the Oklahoma City Zoo and USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex and Museum and more–all within a 2-mile radius. In 2000, the attractions, in cooperation with Frontier Country Marketing Association, began combining their resources to create a marketing effort promoting the area as an entertainment destination for tourists and local residents. OKCAD was recognized by the City Council of Oklahoma City as an official entertainment district in 2003. Today, more than 3.3 million people visit the District annually to experience its world-class attractions and more. To learn more about OKCAD visit www.okcadventure.com.

Dr. Randy Grellner, a candidate for the U.S. Senate representing Oklahoma, has been approved to serve on the State Board of Health by the Oklahoma Senate.
“It is truly an honor to be nominated and confirmed to serve in such an important position that affects the lives of every Oklahoman,” Grellner said. “As a doctor, I care deeply about the health of every person. Being a part of this board gives me the opportunity to ensure Oklahomans get the best health advice and care we can offer on disease and injury prevention and in keeping the people of our state healthy and strong.”
The mission of the board is to protect and promote health, to prevent disease and injury, and to cultivate conditions by which Oklahomans can be healthy. The nine-member Board is appointed by the Governor with Senate confirmation. Board members are selected based on a strict criterion which includes leadership, integrity, service, a commitment to public health, and accountability based on sound evidence and responsible research.
In all, very few physicians get chosen to serve in such a high-level and responsible capacity, and those selected are considered the top doctors and health professionals in the state. Those selected to serve are more than proven professionals in their fields but are those who are shown to have the highest moral and ethical standards and who show a true compassion for the health of the people of Oklahoma.
“I am always happy and prepared to serve the people and the communities of this great state,” Grellner said. “I will serve to protect us in the realms of health and will serve to protect us and our values in Washington against the establishment and the corrupt professional politicians as a member of the U.S. Senate.” For more information visit: www.drgrellnerussenate.com
Dr. Grellner is a candidate for U.S. Senate from Oklahoma. Additional information can be found at www.drgrellnerussenate.com.

Mom jeans may be back in style this season, but mom genes never go out of fashion, say experts at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.
In addition to the half-and-half mix of each parent’s DNA in the nucleus of our cells, genetic material is found in mitochondria, the part of the cell responsible for producing energy.
“These mitochondria are passed to the child from the egg, so they are always inherited from the mother,” said OMRF genetics researcher Courtney Montgomery, Ph.D.
Mitochondrial DNA is small but mighty. It contains about 16,500 base pairs, compared to the roughly three billion in the nucleus, according to the National Human Genome Research Institute.
“This inheritance from our mothers plays a big role in our bodies running smoothly,” Montgomery said. “It controls the mitochondria and helps regulate the metabolism.”
Plus, these mom genes are totally vintage – because they never merge with DNA from another parent, they can be a reliable source of information on population genetics and migration going back thousands of years, Montgomery said.
The small portion of DNA in the mitochondria is “like a satellite facility” of genetic material in the cell, said OMRF scientist Bill Freeman, Ph.D., who studies the impact of the genome on aging.
Mitochondrial DNA makes up for its size through numbers. While each cell has only one copy of the primary genome in the nucleus, Freeman said, the same cell may contain hundreds of mitochondria with thousands of copies of its genome.
These many copies help maintain function when risk factors like age and diet cause damage, said Montgomery. Mom genes can get tattered over time, and they need proper care.
As the “powerhouse of the cell,” the mitochondria are responsible for many cell functions. Its DNA taking damage can be a “critical factor in the development of diseases it is associated with,” Montgomery said.
“Proper mitochondrial function plays a part in everything from aging to neurodegenerative disease and diabetes to cancer,” Freeman said.
This Mother’s Day, appreciate mom by protecting her hand-me-downs, said Montgomery. “Get plenty of sleep, exercise, eat well, and avoid smoking — your mom genes will continue looking their best.”

By Nick Thomas

When a top female British singer declined to appear on the premiere episode of the new American musical variety show “Shindig!” on September 16, 1964, the producer knew who to call – Donna Loren.
“Dusty Springfield couldn’t make the first show, so I was invited to sing her hit Wishin’ and Hopin’ and became a regular cast member for the rest of the series,” said Loren, who turned 75 in March, from her home in Bisbee, Arizona.
Loren had already impressed American television audiences six years earlier with stunning performances guest-starring as a child singing prodigy on “The Mickey Mouse Club.”
By 1963, she was also gaining nationwide recognition as the model and spokesperson for the Dr Pepper Company, performing at promotional events across the country since the age of 16. In films, she appeared in two 1964 musical comedies, “Muscle Beach Party” and “Bikini Beach,” with a third, “Pajama Party,” released shortly after her first “Shindig!” appearance. All three films starred beloved former lead Mouseketeer, Annette Funicello.
With film, television, advertising, and song contracts before her, the dark-haired beauty with a killer voice seemed poised to take the 60s entertainment world by storm, even acting on popular shows such as “Batman,” “The Monkees,” and “Gomer Pyle: USMC.” An additional beach film, “Beach Blanket Bingo,” was released in 1965 featuring Loren’s signature song, “It Only Hurts When I Cry.”
But by 1969, Donna had largely vanished from the entertainment scene.
“Privately, my life growing up had been difficult,” she admitted. “My mother had me out of wedlock and was mired in shame back in the 1940s. She didn’t want me and didn’t even like me which I’ve had to try to balance all my life.”
Loren married in 1968, at the age of 21, as her 5-year contract with Dr Pepper was coming to an end. But then, tragedy struck her new family.
“Two months after the wedding my mother-in-law passed away suddenly,” she explained. “I’d had the contract with Dr Pepper since I was 16 and on my 21st birthday they wanted me to fly to the company headquarters in Dallas to perform for the executives.”
Around this time, with all her earnings going straight to her parents, she also became pregnant.
“I knew the Dr Pepper CEO, Foots Clements, so I called him to say I was getting out of the business,” she said. “I did not want to be used anymore and I needed my child to know who I was. I have absolutely no regrets about the decision.”
Loren went on to raise several children and remarried. After 40 years of private life and with her family grown, she began recording and performing again in the late 2000s.
With numerous singles and CDs released in the past decade, she even relearned 100 songs she had performed in the 60s, posting many online for fans. If Loren had any doubts about recording after a prolonged absence, the words of Mickey Mouse Club teen idol Funicello confirmed her self-confidence.
“I still remember my appearance on the show and Annette later sending me a Christmas card in which she wrote ‘I wish I could sing like you!’” recalled Loren, whose still-powerful vocal performances are cataloged on her website (www.donnaloren.com).
Loren has been recounting her life and career recently on a series of weekly podcasts titled “Love is a Secret Weapon” co-hosted by Dr. Adam Gerace (see www.anchor.fm/lovesasecretweaponpodcast).
“I love communicating with people,” she says. “Give me a minute and I’ll give you my all.”
Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, in Alabama, and has written features, columns, and interviews for numerous magazines and newspapers. See www.tinseltowntalks.com.